Brushing your teeth is one of the best ways to prevent dental problems; however, because you’ve been doing it since childhood it’s easy to think that you’ve got the hang out it. Despite this, you could be pleasantly surprised to find out that you may not be brushing your teeth as effectively as you once thought. Your River Forest dentist gives you the scoop on what could be negatively impacting your tooth-brushing regime.1. The wrong toothbrush
Take a good hard look at your toothbrush. After all, your brushing is only as good as the instrument you’re using. You want to opt for a toothbrush that has soft, rounded bristles, not ones that are short or choppy. A bad toothbrush not only does a poor job of effectively cleaning your teeth, but can also damage the surface of your teeth.
While you’re already examining your toothbrush also check to see if it’s time to replace it. Most toothbrushes start to fray at around the 3-month mark (and sometimes sooner). If you notice that the bristles have begun to fan out, it’s time to toss that one in the trash and promptly get a new toothbrush.
2. Only brushing back and forth
We sometimes find that the majority of brushing mistakes are due to poor technique. If you are only brushing back and forth, you aren’t giving your teeth the proper cleaning they need. You should always brush in a circular motion and only focus on a section of your smile at a time, that way you can really give your smile a thorough brushing.
Also, angle the brush about 45 degrees toward the gum line so you can effectively clean under the gums, where plaque can hide.
3. Aggressive brushing
You might liken cleaning your teeth to cleaning any other surface: the harder you scrub the more dirt and grim you’ll remove. While it seems like a good idea in theory, brushing too vigorously can actually do serious damage, including wearing down your tooth’s healthy enamel. Very little pressure should actually be applied while brushing. Using an electric toothbrush can be advantageous as it can help you figure out how much pressure to apply.
4. Rushing through your routine
Sure out schedules get hectic, but it doesn’t mean you should skimp out on your oral health. While many people will tell us that they brush for at least one to two minutes, sadly the majority may only be brushing for 30 seconds. If you don’t think you’re brushing long enough, then it’s time to set yourself a timer. Test yourself to see if you’re setting aside enough time for your smile.
Did you learn something new about your oral hygiene? Maybe it wasn’t quite up to par with what you expected. Try to incorporate these tips into your daily regime and you’ll notice a difference. If you have any questions or concerns about your oral health, don’t hesitate to give us a call.